The AGR seal of quality

time to balance
September 2010
The AGR seal of quality
Quality feature for a back-friendly life
The German association “Campaign for Healthier Backs“ (“Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.”, short: AGR) examined the AuBioMo® and Anti Step® shoes
of the brand chung shi and awarded the seal of quality “certified & recommended” to them. The AGR seal of quality offers a perfect orientation on
searching back-friendly shoes. With this award the AGR follows former scientific and medical studies which claim that wearing chung shi shoes
improves the posture of the spinal column. The manufacturer of the chung shi shoes is ME & Friends AG located in Holzkirchen in Upper Bavaria.
The „Campaign for Healthier Backs“
(AGR e. V.) informs you independently
40% Neck area
20% Arms
Approximately 80% of the German population
Back – Better Living” (“Forum Gesunder Rü43% Shoulder
region
are suffering more or less often from back pain.
cken –besser leben e.V.”). Only products which
pass a sophisticated exam receive the AGR
seal of quality. The value of the AGR seal of
Reasons for that are physical inactivity, over-
28%
Between
Shoulder
blades
weight, inappropriate biomechanical stress
as well as long term PC work and watching TV.
quality itself was also tested by another consumer organisation, by the German “Oekotest
Magazine”, and got the rating “excellent”. This
Another reason, which is often disregarded, is
is one more solid quality proof of the AGR seal
the use of everyday items. The Campaign for
of quality.
Healthier Backs attends exactly to this issue.
As early as the 1990’s, the esteemed medical
If you are looking for help with your backache
doctor Dr. Günther Neumeyer from Hamburg,
or if you are looking for back-friendly products
Germany supported the theory that back-
70% Vertebra
of the loin
friendly products are important for the pre-
then pay attention to the AGR seal of quality.
vention and treatment of backache. Today,
this theory is undisputed and has been proven
in various studies. Thanks to his initiative,
30% Legs
the independent association “Campaign for
Healthier Backs“ (“Aktion Gesunder Rücken
e.V.”) was founded in 1995. This non-profit
organisation is cooperating with various me-
Quality feature for a back-friendly life
Localisation of backpain
Source: tns healthcare, BKK Bundesverband
p.2 Rocker sole shoes are good
for your spinal column
AGR seal of quality for chung shi® product lines AuBioMo® and Anti Step®
dical faculties and their associations, as well
as with many thousands of doctors and the-
tant elements for prevention and therapy
rapists. Comprehensive findings and informa-
when having back problems. Affected persons
tion from the medical world are collected and
should re-equip their personal surroundings
published. The latest findings from the fields
back-friendly, both their workplace and their
of orthopaedics, physiotherapy, industrial
residential area. The AGR seal of quality is a
medicine, sports science etc. are drawn up by
valuable aid in decision making. It stands for
independent experts. This helps many people
strict test criteria which were developed con-
who are stricken by backache.
certedly by independent medical and therapeutic specialists.
The AGR seal of quality provides orientation
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p.1 The AGR seal of quality
A valuable help for anguished people is the
This panel of experts consists of members
AGR seal of quality. It identifies everyday
of the two highest professional medical as-
items whose ergonomic quality was tested by
sociations, the “Association of German Back
several medical fields. It is undisputable that
Schools” (“Bundesverband der deutschen Rü-
back-friendly products of daily use are impor-
ckenschulen e.V.”) and the “Forum of Healthy
p.3 Test criteria of the
interdisciplinary testing
committee
p.3 FAQ
More details:
www.chung-shi.com
www.agr-ev.de
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Rocker sole shoes are good for your spinal column
AGR seal of quality for chung shi® product lines AuBioMo® and Anti Step®
by chung shi®
Test criteria of the interdisciplinary
AGR testing committee
An active shoe should have the natural form
Scientific studies show the positive results
of the foot and must be fitted for its length
Several scientific studies confirmed the desi-
and width. It also needs a damping system. It
red effects of the chung shi AuBioMo® shoes.
should stimulate the perception of the whole
An extended muscle activity in the lower extre-
body as well as the motion sequences of the
mities and an improved sense of balance were
muscles of the feet and the legs.
documented by the University of Calgary (Stefanyshy, Osis, Trembley, Park 2006). Beneficial
by chung shi®
A healthy back starts with the feet.
chung shi Anti Step® -
chung shi AuBioMo® -
is very easy: ill-fitting shoes often cause an
the lumbago shoe
the dorsalgia shoe
incorrect posture of the whole body with ne-
When walking barefoot the body experi-
The AuBioMo® system is unique in promo-
ences a certain natural instability which
ting fluidity of movement, which is part of
forces the muscles to work a little harder.
the natural rolling motion of the foot. Mu-
This has several positive effects on our phy-
scles are activated and strengthened and
sique. The Anti Step system simulates wal-
this reduces strain on the ankle and knee
king barefoot to produce the same positive
But why does the AGR care about shoes? That
gative effects on the back musculature, hip
Active shoes have a smaller contact area to
effects on the posture of the spinal column
the ground than ordinary shoes
after wearing the AuBioMo shoes were confir-
On which construction principle are the
med by the studies of Yi (2006) and of Laar and
AuBioMo and Anti Step shoes based on?
Meichsner (2009). Sports scientist Matthias
The “heart” of AuBioMo® is a system for shoes
Laar and orthopaedist Dr. med. Maximilian
and health that has been developed by ex-
Meichsner think that primarily the lower sta-
perts. This unique concept of flowing motion
bilizers are responsible for a better posture. Yi
supports the natural rolling movement of the
(2006) proved the positive effects on the foot’s
foot when walking; the musculature is activa-
shape what is generally known as the base of
ted and strengthened. As a result there is less
an upright and correct posture and beneficial
strain on the ankle and knee joints. The angled
effects on the spinal column. Active shoes of
toe and heel areas of the sole (15° for the Com-
the brand chung shi® seem also to be helpful
fort Step and 20° for the Balance Step), com-
after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) opera-
bined with a centre rocker bar induce a correct
tions. The patients have to walk on crutches
and entirely natural biomechanical gait from
for one week and especially the subtle refle-
the very first step. Wearing the AuBioMo® sys-
xes and muscles strength are exercised. A new
tem shoe enables you to sense the individual
study by the Lutrina Clinic in Kaiserslautern,
phases of your walking motion in total com-
Germany shows clearly that patients wearing
fort. Without being aware of it you gradually
AuBioMo® shoes from the second week after
develop a more confident gait. By contrast the
ACL reconstruction had significant better co-
Anti Step® shoes have a rounded sole which
ordinative abilities than those without (Franz
activates and strengthens the muscles. The
2009).
“Double Neovent Technology” in the sole affords extraordinary comfort every time the
To be recommended when having backache or
shoe is worn, helping to take the pressure off
postural problems
the joints and thus to protect them. Walking
chung shi® active shoes are recommended es-
with Anti Step® shoes is more moderate than
pecially to people with backache or postural
joints. The angled toe and heel area of the
with AuBioMo® shoes. What both systems
problems. Patients with degenerative chan-
red shoe constructions mean that the muscles
effects: its combined features result in a pi-
sole (15° for the Comfort Step and 20° for
have in common is a reduced contact area of
ging of the lower extremities’ joints benefit
of your feet do not get the exercise they need.
ece of training equipment for everyday. Eve-
the Balance Step), combined with a centre
the sole (see graphic on page 2).
as well as those with a venous insufficiency in
The best you can do is walking barefoot on a
ry single step both tones and strengthens
rocker bar induce a correct and entirely na-
beach or a meadow. By this you are exercis-
the muscles producing a harmonious move-
tural biomechanical gait from the very first
ing all muscles, ligaments and foot joints and
ment that is at once more natural and bio-
causing a natural walking gait. Furthermore it
is good for a stable equilibrium.
joints and spinal column. Everyone knows
that walking barefoot is good for you. So it is
likely that many back problems are caused by
wearing “wrong” shoes. A lack of correct movement, hard walking surfaces and overly bolste-
Simulating walking barefoot
The company ME & Friends AG from Holzkirchen, Bavaria has developed active shoes for
simulating walking barefoot and passed the
stern test of the AGR.
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their legs. The chung shi AuBioMo® and Anti
Purposes of both shoe systems:
Step® shoes can also be recommended to peo-
step. The separate motions within the gait
· Activate neglected muscles of the body
ple who have a disturbed sense of balance.
mechanically correct. Constant toning and
become noticeable without being uncom-
and the lower extremities
stretching of the muscles also result in im-
fortable. The wearer of the AuBioMo® shoes
proved stability for the joints. In turn, the
benefits from a lasting consciousness of
load which joints experience when walking
the way he or she walks and improved pos-
or standing is considerably reduced. The
ture. The name given to the shoe’s ability
“Double Neovent Technology” in the sole
to prevent poor posture and bad walking
also affords extraordinary comfort every
habits is the AuBioMo® Memory Effect. The
time the shoe is worn, helping to take the
AuBioMo® Memory Effect has farreaching
pressure off the joints and thus to protect
positive implications for physical wellbeing
them.
and thus for health in general.
· Increased blood circulation in feet and legs
· Support the natural walking gait
· More upright posture when walking
or standing
· Improved sense of balance
Studies:
Stefanyshyn, Daren/ Osis, Sean/ Tremblay, Laurie/ Park, Sang Kyoon/ Sport Insight Inc.: The Biomechanics of Walking in the chung shi Health Shoe. University of Calgary, October 2006. Yi, Kyung Ok/ Ewha Woman‘s Univeristy/ Department of Human Movement and Performance/ Gait Biomechanics Lab: Effects of Chung shi Walking Shoes on Posture, Foot Shape, Balance, Flexibility, Menstruation, Pain, Body Composition, and Gait. November 2006. Franz, Wolfgang:
chung shi im Rahmen von Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen
bei Teilprothesen-Einbau Arthrose und bei Reparatur von
Kreuzbandrissen. Kaiserslautern, 2009.
FAQ:
Why do you train so many muscles with
the AuBioMo® shoes?
The angle in the heel and in the toe part in
combination with the mid-part integrated
roll resistance forces the wearer to walk automatically biomechanically correct. This
tones muscles you haven’t used yet.
Why is the AuBioMo® shoe system a dorsalgia shoe?
Because it tones your back muscles and
puts you automatically in an upright position while walking.
Is walking in these shoes more exhausting
than with ordinary shoes?
The AuBioMo® shoes force the wearer to
walk biomechanically correct. You can compare that with walking barefoot on the
beach or on a meadow. Walking in the AuBioMo® shoes is as exhausting as walking
barefoot in nature.
Do I need a special training for wearing
chung shi® shoes?
No, a special training is not necessary.
Can I put insoles into the chung shi® shoes?
Yes. You can put your insoles into all chung
shi® active shoes.
Why is the Anti Step® a lumbago shoe?
Because it has a rounded sole and the “Double Neovent Technology” in the heel part.
This ensures supreme comfort and maximum damping. Pain in the lower back area
can be reduced.
Can I wear Anti Step® and AuBioMo® shoes
all day long?
Yes, you can wear your chung shi® shoes as
long as you feel comfortable with them.
During the first days of wearing your chung
shi® shoes we recommend extending the
time of wearing them gradually. So your
muscles and your body can get used to the
new way of movement step by step.
Meichsner, Maximilian/ Lahr, Matthias: Influence of the chung shi AuBioMo® technology on the
spine stabilizing muscles. Bad Tölz, 2009.
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